Viagra is a medication, developed by Pfizer Inc. to help men overcome erectile dysfunction or impotence and to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pfizer secured the patent for Viagra in 1996 and it was approved by the FDA for use in treating erectile dysfunction on March 27, 1998. Between a successful marketing campaign and its effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction, Viagra is a success store for Pfizer boasting annual sales exceeding $1 billion between 1999 and 2001. Of course, there are Viagra side effects and a small, but disturbing trend of Viagra blindness effecting the drug.
As well as erectile dysfunction, Viagra is also an effective treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. It is a relatively rare condition for which there is no cure at this time. Viagra is effective in relaxing the arterial wall of the heart and in decreasing arterial resistance and pressure thereby reducing some hypertension. Although initially only approved for treating erectile dysfunction Viagra was ultimately approved for treating PAH by the FDA in June of 2005.
During several studies, a link between Viagra and vision loss have been identified. The FDA, in fact, has received 38 reports of blindness among Viagra users. A British Journal of Ophthalmology study indicates a link between use of the Viagra and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition affects almost 6,000 people each year in the United States and can cause loss of vision in one or both eyes due to insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve. In most patients, the symptoms began with blurred vision and some color blindness.
As of May, 2005 the FDA was working with Pfizer to potentially add a disclosure to Viagra's label to say that rarely, men taking Viagra had developed Viagra blindness due to NAION. Specifically, any men with chronic hypertension or with cardiovascular problems should also avoid Viagra because their potential for developing NAION was higher. Several consumer groups are still working to get a more serious level of warning label on Viagra. As late as October of 2005 the consumer group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA for a black box warning label to alert people to the dangers of Viagra in relation to Viagra blindness.
Because of the bad Viagra side effects, Pfizer may be liable for any injury or damage the drug causes to consumers. If you have used Viagra and developed blindness due to NAION and you were not warned by Pfizer or by your physician you may be able to sue for damages based on product liability. Not only is the blindness is some individuals an example of a product defect but Pfizer might also be liable for a failure to warn.
No matter what you will need to contact and work with a reputable product liability or drug defect attorney if you want to successfully get compensation for any injury done to you by Viagra. You may be eligible, depending on your case, for medical coverage and for compensation for pain and suffering of loss of pay. If you have been blinded by Viagra you should seek redress as soon as possible.